Pat Buchanan was once a Republican, but he does not like the Republican Party anymore. He DOES like Ronald Reagan -- the book is dedicated to him -- but not the current crop of Republicans. They are "Conservative Impersonators," according to the title of chapter 7. Buchanan's falling-out with the Republican Party came about because the neoconservatives took over the party. That's why he ran for President against Bush in 2000 -- because the neocons took control of Bush's campaign and then his presidency.

Buchanan explains why he wrote the book (p. 10): "It is about where conservatives lost the way, about where the Right went wrong…. And it is about a cabal that betrayed the good cause of conservatism, because, from the very beginning, they never believed in it. They had another agenda all along. So, the purpose of this book is to retrace our steps to see where we lost the way, and rediscover the way back home to a conservative politics of principle."

The title of chapter 7, "Conservative Impersonators," refers to the neocons too. Buchanan concludes, "The neoconservatives are not really conservatives at all. They are impostors and opportunists. They defected from liberalism only when they saw conservatism in the ascendancy."

Buchanan explains, in great detail, what true conservatives believe. He differs substantially from Bush's views (and the neocon view) on the Iraq War in particular. Buchanan asserts that the Iraq War was wrong, and that the neocons lied (and continue to lie) to the American people about jihadist goals and Islam in general. He deeply researched those assertions: he includes 20 pages on the history of Islam (pp. 59-79). And plenty more history about the French, Chinese, and Russian revolutions, as the basis for other disagreements with the neocons.

In summary, Buchanan left the GOP and ran in 2000 because he disliked Bush and the neocons who had taken over the GOP. This book should convince all readers that Buchanan was sincere in those beliefs.

Principles & ValuesPat Buchanan: Pragmatism is the order of the day of the GOP.
Pat Buchanan: Neoconservatives are opportunists, not conservatives.
George W. Bush: Moral truth is the same in every culture & every time.

Tax ReformJim DeMint: Dependent citizens have no incentive to restrain government.
Pat Buchanan: Tariffs are the best form of taxes.